SOP for using the oxyhydrogen torch
Before using the torch prospective users must be trained by Chris Thomas (Ø-138) (for
NAFUMA personnel) or Anja O. Sjåstad (Ø-130) (for other groups)
 Wear face shield (welding face shield or welding glasses and ordinary face shield)
 Check that fume hood is on
 Check that all valves for both O2 and H2 are closed (gas cylinders, regulators and torch).
 Open for H2-gas flow
1) Open main valve on H2-gas cylinder.
2) Open slowly 2nd valve on the wall
3) Check the pressure of first gauge on the wall (minimum allowed cylinder pressure 30
bar). The second gauge is fixed at 2.5 bar
 Ignite flame on torch
1) Open the hydrogen valve on the torch, and ignite fire by match or spark lighter.
2) Adjust hydrogen flow to obtain an orange flame.
 Open for O2-gas flow
1) Open main valve on O2-gas cylinder.
2) Open slightly the 2nd valve on the wall (counter clockwise), and check the increase in
pressure of first and second gauges on the wall regulator. Max operating pressure for
second gauge is 2 bar.
3) Open carefully the oxygen valve on the torch and adjust flow to blue colour for use.
 Adjust flame on torch for a short break (max 5 minutes)
1) Close oxygen valve on the torch
2) Adjust hydrogen flow on the torch to give an orange flame
3) Reset H2/O2 flame (after break) by carefully open oxygen valve on the torch and
adjust flow to give blue colour.
 Close H2/O2 gas flow at end of experiment
1) Close O2 tap on torch on – and main valve on H2-gas cylinder. The remaining gases in
the lines will be treated in steps 2-5 below.
2) Burn remaining H2-gas in the line until the pressure of both first and second gauges
on the wall decreases to zero. Close H2 valve on the torch then on the wall.
3) Close O2 cylinder. Release remaining O2-gas until pressure of both first and second
gauges on the O2 by the cylinder becomes zero.
4) Close all valves on both H2 and O2 lines and assure both gas cylinders are in closed
position. Do not over-tighten needle values.
Remember to tidy workspace after use
Report any problems or concerns to Christopher I. Thomas (Ø-138) or Anja O. Sjåstad (Ø130)
Last updated: September 25, 2013; CIT, AOS
Welding face shield
welding glasses and
ordinary face shield
1st gauge
2nd
valve on
the wall
Main valve on H2
Last updated: September 25, 2013; CIT, AOS
2nd gauge
H2 valve on Torch
1st gauge
O2 valve on Torch
2nd gauge
2nd valve on
the wall
Main valve on O2
Last updated: September 25, 2013; CIT, AOS
SAFE JOB ANALYSIS (SJA)
Name of unit: Department of Chemistry
This SJA concerns: hydrogen torch in room Ø150
Date: 1/11-2010, Agnieszka Gorzkowska-Sobas, Hiroshi Okamoto, Helmer Fjellvåg
Date: 20/3-2012: Christopher Ian Thomas, Anja O. Sjåstad
Date: 22/06/2012: Christopher Ian Thomas, Anja O. Sjåstad
Subtask
Hydrogen gas
Possible cause of undesired event
Flammability/Ignitability
Sealing quartz
Damage to the eyes
Damage to the face
Skin burns
Explosion
Last updated: September 25, 2013; CIT, AOS
Precautions to be taken
Turn on fume hood
Hydrogen gas must be
always burned out.
Do not look at melting part
of quartz by naked eye
Use face-shield for
protection
Keep tidy work place, and
maintain good
housekeeping
Think about possible over
pressure during sealing
treatment
Assure H2 gas cylinder have
at least 30 bar when
starting up experiment